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Local 10 reporter Jeff Weinsier didn't like a post I'd written about him over the weekend. (Click here to read the enire post.)
So he reacted the way any
But just before he unfriended me, he sent me two private messages letting me know what he thought of my post:
Good article....You definitely drank all of Bobby's kool aid.
To sum up, Weinsier came into possession of photos that purportedly showed Miami Beach Police Department 911 call center (PSCU) employees sleeping on the job.
While researching his story, Weinsier asked public information officer Bobby Hernandez for a comment on the photos from Miami Beach's police chief, Ray Martinez.
Hernandez asked him to email the photos so the chief could look at them and learn more about the circumstances under which they were taken.
Weinsier refused.
Yesterday, after Weinsier accused me of "drinking the Kool Aid," I asked him why he refused to email the photos to Hernandez.
I was told by MY management NOT to give the pictures.. MY BOSSES.. THE PEOPLE who pay me.. so as a courtesy I drove down to Miami Beach Police, with NO cameras and showed Bobby and a supervisor the pictures.. bet he didn't tell you that either.. keep drinking the kool aid.. im done responding...be well.
Weinsier is correct about one thing. He did drive down to MBPD where he showed ONE photo to Hernandez.
Hernandez again requested that Weinsier provide copies of the photos so that the chief could review them. Again, Weinsier refused.
What Weinsier didn't say is that the reason he and his boss, news director Bill Pohovey, didn't want the chief to see the pictures in advance, or provide any information about them is because they wanted to play "gotcha" with Chief Martinez.
It's a tactic that Channel 10 has been using a lot lately: Walk into a room with a camera rolling and show the person being interviewed some unflattering photos or video they've never seen before and get them to react.
Put another way, Weinsier wanted to make Martinez look like an ass...and get it all on tape.
In his private messages to me, Weinsier says that he emailed and called Hernandez at "his office for 6 days and NEVER heard from him."
Well, that's not entirely true.
This morning I filed a public records request with MBPD and asked for copies of the emails between Hernandez and Weinsier.
Below are the email exchanges between Weinsier and Heranandez in which Weinsier repeatedly refuses to provide any of the photographs for inspection.
From: "Hernandez, Robert"
RobertHernandez@miamibeachfl.gov
Date: January 30, 2014 at 11:27:21 AM EST
To: "'Weinsier, Jeff'"
Subject: RE: WPLG
Good morning Jeff.
Some of the PSCU employees that have seen one of the pictures that you have state that they have identified that these pictures were taken over a year ago and prior to the break room being built. At that time employees were permitted to take their breaks at their workstation and in the photograph you can see the employee had her head set off.
Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, you are determined to take one side of the story and run with it. The fact that you cannot provide us with pictures that allege employee misconduct and allow us investigate appropriately is unfortunate. Thanks.
MIAMIBEACH
Bobby Hernandez, Sergeant of Police
Miami Beach Police Dept./ Public Information Office
1100 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
-----Original Message-----
From: Weinsier, Jeff [mailto:jweinsier@wplg.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 10:56 AM
To: Hernandez, Robert
Subject: Re: WPLG
My News Director won't allow me to send them..
If you'd like to talk to him, call Bill Pohovey 954-364-2700.
He's the boss..
Jeff Weinsier/Reporter
WPLG-TV Local 10
3401 West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
Pembroke Park, FL 33023
* JWEINSIER@WPLG.COM
On Jan 29, 2014, at 10:37 AM,
"Hernandez, Robert" RobertHernandez@miamibeachfl.gov wrote:
That is unfortunate Jeff.
I really do not know what the issue is for us to investigate and respond accordingly. Unless the Department is provided with the picture and more information, we will not be commenting on this issue.
We have counseled employees in the past for resting in an unauthorized area. This was before a break room was built and available for employees to rest on their breaks.
We are also in the process of hiring a Director and (7) employees to avoid forcing call takers/dispatchers from working overtime every week.
Thanks
MIAMIBEACH
Bobby Hernandez, Sergeant of Police
Miami Beach Police Dept./ Public Information Office
1100 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
-----Original Message-----
From: Weinsier, Jeff mailto:jweinsier@wplg.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 3:25 PM
To: Hernandez, Robert
Cc: Hernandez, Vivian; Pohovey, Bill
Subject: Re: WPLG
As per our conversation, I do not know when the exact time, nor date, the photos were taken.
In a previous email dated 1/23/14, I indicated the photos were taken in November sometime.
However, the Department did receive other photos and you indicated disciplinary actions were taken and changes were made based on the photos the Department received.
What were those changes or actions taken?
At this time I cannot provide you with those pictures. They will be available when the story runs.
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff Weinsier/Reporter
WPLG-TV Local 10
3401 West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
Pembroke Park, FL 33023
* JWEINSIER@WPLG.COM
On Jan 28, 2014, at 3:14 PM, "Hernandez, Robert" wrote:
Good afternoon Jeff.
We are not trying to avoid answering your questions. However, we have yet to receive the pictures you have of employees allegedly sleeping on the job. We would also need the time/date to investigate. Meeting with you briefly and glancing at "a picture" does not provide us with enough information to respond.
Please provide us with the pictures that you have and when it occurred and we will be happy to provide you with the disposition of each case. We will also advise you of the changes that have been made to the Public safety Communication Unit (PSCU) in the last few months.
Thanks.
MIAMIBEACH
Bobby Hernandez, Sergeant of Police
Miami Beach Police Dept./ Public Information Office
1100 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
-----Original Message-----
From: Weinsier, Jeff mailto:jweinsier@wplg.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 2:56 PM
To: Hernandez, Robert; Hernandez, Vivian
Subject: WPLG
Not sure how we left it.
But let me know if there any information you are releasing about dispatchers.
What's being done?
What has been done?
Any discipline?
Jeff
Jeff Weinsier/Reporter
WPLG-TV Local 10
3401 West Hallandale Beach Boulevard
Pembroke Park, FL 33023
* JWEINSIER@WPLG.COM
Now, in light of this unfortunate incident, my sources at Local 10 tell me that news director Bill Pohovey has sent Weinsier back on "Rat Shit Beat."
Pohovey has also ordered Weinsier to brush up on his reporting techniques by watching the video below for some pointers on how real reporters get the story.
Stay tuned to Local 10 for Jeff's next report...coming soon from a Chinese restaurant in your neighborhood.
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